Abstract: A cycle frame includes a top member having a front terminal portion and a rear assembly portion, a bottom member defining a rear fork and a sloping member that is upwardly inclined from the rear fork to a front terminal portion thereof, a tubular member constituting a front steering swivel socket, a pair of lugs for interconnecting the front terminal portions of the top and bottom members to the tubular member, a pair of stays interconnecting the rear assembly portion and the rear fork, and a spacer member extending between the rear assembly portion and the bottom member. The front terminal portions of the top and bottom members have constant, polygonal-shaped cross-sections. The length of the cycle frame can be readily set to a desired dimension by cutting the front terminal portions of the top and bottom member and the height of the cycle frame can be readily adjusted by cutting the tubular member, the pair of stays and the spacer member.

Abstract: A dual-drive electric transmission operated by a generator that may be powered, for example, by an internal combustion engine. Left and right motor networks have a rotation rotor, the motor networks being powered by the generator. A speed control assembly independently effects rotation of the rotor in each motor network at selected speeds. Left and right combining differentials are associated with the respective left and right motor networks. Each combining differential has a sun gear, a ring gear and a plurality of planetary gears meshing with the sun and ring gears. An output carrier supports the planetary gears. The sun gear in each left and right combining differential is driven by the respective left and right motor network. The ring gears are conjoined for unitary rotation in order to provide a mechanical regenerative path between the combining differentials.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus having a compact and inexpensive backlash mechanism is provided by arranging its structure to easily adjust the backlash of the bevel gear mechanism, and at the same time, to pre-press the bearings so that the movement of the shaft in the axial direction can be regulated. The rotational shaft having a small gear coupled thereto which constitutes a bevel gear mechanism on one side is rotatively supported by a housing, but disabled to shift in the axial direction. The large gear which constitutes the bevel gear mechanism on the other side is coupled to the output shaft of a steering system so that it can shift in the rotational direction and axial direction together with the shaft. The output shaft is rotatively supported by bearings with respect to the housing with a movable sleeve which abuts upon the outer ring of the bearing.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus can maintain suitable backlash in a temperature changing atmosphere even if a gear consisting of a metallic cylindrical core portion and a toothed resin outer ring portion. The thickness of the resin outer ring portion is suitably determined by the coefficients of linear thermal expansion of a driving gear, a driven gear, a housing, the addendum of the driven gear and the center distance between the driving gear and the driven gear. Even if the temperature of the atmosphere changes, the positional relation between the gears is unchanged. Thus, the backlash is substantially unaltered.

Abstract: A permanent magnet assembly for an electromagnetic mechanism in a motor vehicle power steering gear includes a metal ring having a plurality of radially oriented permanent magnets defined thereon and a plastic retaining hub attached to the metal ring. The metal ring has an annular end wall, an internal annular shoulder facing the opposite direction from the end wall, and a plurality of V-shaped notches in the end wall. Each V-shaped notch has a pair of flat sides converging at a linear junction tipped back from the plane of the annular end wall. A plastic retaining hub is formed by injection molding plastic in a mold cavity to which the end wall of the metal ring is exposed so that, upon curing of the injection molded plastic, the end wall of the metal ring is seated against an annular side of a socket in a rim of the retaining hub, integral V-shaped lugs on the retaining hub protrude into the V-shaped notches, and a lip of the retaining hub closes behind the internal annular shoulder.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power steering system including a hydraulic pump, a fluid motor, and an electronic control valve which regulates boost pressure independent of pump discharge flow rate so that the pump does not require a constant flow valve. The flow area of a throttling orifice which determines the magnitude of boost pressure depends on the magnitude of a pilot pressure in a pilot pressure chamber behind a valve spool of the electronic control valve. The pilot pressure is regulated by a solenoid controlled pintle. The duty cycle of the solenoid is controlled in open-loop fashion by an electronic control module of the power steering system in response to signals from a steering wheel torque sensor of the power steering system. Fluctuations in the discharge flow rate of the hydraulic pump attributable to changes in engine speed induce spool movements to increase or decrease the flow area of the throttling orifice to maintain boost pressure consistent with the scheduled pilot pressure.

Abstract: An impact absorber for a legged mobile robot having a body and two legs each connected to the body for absorbing impact arising when the robot collides with pipes or other objects in its walking environment so as to protect both the robot and the object. In a first embodiment, the impact absorber comprises a balloon disposed around the body and filled with air. When the balloon comes into contact with the object, it is deflated so as to absorb impact arising from the contact. In a second embodiment, the impact absorber comprises a cylinder fixed to the robot leg and a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder so as to define a chamber filled with an oil. A flat member is fixed to the rod of the piston and when it comes into contact with the object, the piston is thrust into the cylinder so as to absorb the impact. The impact absorber may be a resilient material coating on the robot to cushion the impact when the robot comes into contact with the object, or it may include air bags.

Abstract: An axle beam type suspension arrangement for automotive vehicles is provided. This arrangement includes a vehicle superstructure having a portion projecting downwardly of a vehicle body, a panhard rod one end of which is attached to the projecting portion of the vehicle superstructure and the other to an axle beam connecting right and left rear wheels, an assist link one end of which is connected to a middle portion of the panhard rod and the other to the axle beam, and an absorbing member which is interposed between the other end of the panhard rod and the axle beam and is displaceable in the axial direction of the panhard rod to absorb a relative displacement between the panhard rod and the axle beam.

Abstract: On a multispeed bicycle wheel hub with a sun and planet gear mechanism having at least two multistage planet wheels, the planet wheels are each constructed of two parts, with a first planet wheel part having a rolling gearing segment forming one planet wheel stage and a clutch gearing segment having a clutch outside circumference gearing, as well as a second planet wheel part having at least one rolling gearing segment, each forming a planet wheel stage, as well as a receptacle opening for the clutch gearing segment of the first planet wheel part, which receptacle opening is equipped with a clutch inside circumference gearing which is engaged in the clutch outside circumference gearing. The second planet wheel part is formed by a sintered part, and the first planet wheel part is formed by a machined part, whereby the clutch outside circumference gearing has the same number of teeth and gear rim orientation as the clutch outside circumference gearing.

Abstract: A hitch lock assembly which is readily attachable to a trailer hitch assembly to provide a means for securing a hitch ball latch assembly from unauthorized removal from a hitch ball member. The hitch lock assembly includes a pair of lock pin members operable with a padlock member to provide means for securing the hitch ball latch assembly about the hitch ball member. Each lock pin member is of a high strength steel rod construction having a vertical hitch lock section mountable within aligned holes through a main hitch housing assembly and a ball contact member to insure that these elements are not movable relative to each other to an unlatched condition. The padlock member is removed from the interconnected lock pin members and the hitck lock sections are removed from the aligned holes to achieve an unlatched condition.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate including a soft, pliable, and comfortable shoe body having structural foot support components positioned in selected strategic areas such as the ball, heel and ankle areas. The shoe body may be made of a material that allows air circulation for coolness. In one embodiment, the structural components are made of semi-rigid plastic which may be heat moldable to conform to the user's foot. The sole of the shoe may also include heat moldable materials so that it can be anatomically formed to the user's foot. The shoe is mounted on a frame that supports a plurality of in-line roller wheels and includes structure for easily removing and replacing the wheels. The shoe-frame connection may be laterally and longitudinally adjustable. A speed control or brake, which applies a frictional force downwardly onto some or all of the in-line roller wheels, is mounted on the frame. Canting adjustment is provided to allow the ankle support to be canted laterally or longitudinally.

Abstract: Mounting apparatus for an automotive engine comprises: a mount bracket attached to one side of a cylinder block and having an extension with its end forwardly of the cylinder block of the engine; a boss extending from the front end of a manifold on the other side of the cylinder block; and a connector structurally joining the boss and the leading end of the mount bracket extension. A vibration absorbing mount is supported by the automobile body and supports engine weight through one of the bracket and connector.

Abstract: In this composite ski, each cap, i.e., tip or tail, comprises at least one recess terminating in an end surface thereof for attachment to the ski body, with a reinforcing frame of the ski body extending longitudinally beyond the ends of the ski body to engage the at least one cap recess. The ski body is then injected with foam made of synthetic material, which constitutes the core of the body and also fills the at least one cap recess thereby forming a composite ski with greater flexibility that is much safer and less susceptible to damage.

Abstract: An alignment guide 1 is described which aids in aligning and coupling vehicles and trailers and the like. It is adapted for attachment to a first coupling part C1 of a vehicle/trailer coupling device C1, C2. Part C1 may be a towing bar of a vehicle/trailer coupling device, and part C2 may include a socket B1 which engages over a partially spherically-shaped top A1 of the device C1. The alignment guide 1 has a ramp 2 with tapered side wings 3 to guide the part C2 into coupling engagement with the part C1. The alignment guide 1 can be moved to a stored position on part C1 when not in use.

Abstract: A trailer tongue hitch and ball clamp assembly includes a base portion loosely surrounding the hitch ball shank between its sphere and a tow bar transversely of the depending surface of the trailer hitch coupling socket forming member. A bridge portion of the clamp assembly, secured to the base portion, transversely overlies the upper surface of the hitch coupling for impinging it against the base member in surrounding relation with respect to the hitch ball sphere which permits the clamp assembly to move as a unit with the trailer tongue socket forming member in its horizontal and vertical pivoting movement relative to the hitch ball.

Abstract: Improved cable guide for bicycle frames which has been found useful for improving the fatigue life of light weight bicycle frames and other stressed tubular structures. One or more welding or brazing-free dimple/bulkhead forming deformations produce strategically reduced stiffness zones so as to reduce peak stresses. The cable guide system also offers an improved method for routing control cables through the frame structure. A plastic cable nozzle insert is disclosed along with pyramid-shaped external dimples and contiguous bulkheads.

Abstract: A hand truck for carrying luggage having two wheel holders slidably fastened to a base frame thereof at two opposite ends and locked in position by a respective lock pin. The base frame has a longitudinal through hole through two opposite ends thereof, and two series of pin holes longitudinally spaced near the two opposite ends and respectively perpendicularly communicated with the longitudinal through hole. Each wheel holder comprises a bearing plate provided with a wheel at the bottom, a mounting rod horizontally extended from the bearing plate at one side and slidably inserted into the longitudinal through hole on the base frame and releasably locked in position by a respective lock pin being inserted into either pin hole at either end of the base frame, the mounting rod having a longitudinal series of pin holes for alternatively connecting to either pin holes at either end of the base frame by the respective lock pin.

Abstract: A vehicle tow bar includes a transverse cross member which mounts one pivotal, elongated leg assembly in fifth position at one end of the cross bar and a second pivotal, elongated leg assembly for movement across the cross bar between a collapsed condition closely adjacent the first leg assembly and an erected, operative position at the opposite end of the cross member. The ends of the leg assemblies opposite the cross member are connected to an apex frame which mounts a socket coupler component of a ball and socket type trailer hitch. Each leg assembly includes telescopic sections for adjusting the length of the leg assembly. A spring loaded locking piston in one leg section of each leg assembly is arranged, when the leg sections are extended, to project into a locking socket in the other leg section of the leg assembly, to secure the leg sections in extended condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for converting a four wheel drive motor vehicle having a non-freewheeling rear axle assembly to a vehicle having rear axle freewheeling capability. The rear axle shafts of the vehicle are replaced with other axle shafts having splined inner and outer shaft ends. The rear hubs are replaced with freewheeling replacement hubs and locking hubs are installed over the splined outer shaft ends of the replacement shafts and adjacent to the freewheeling replacement hubs.

Abstract: A laminated body panel for aircraft applications comprises first and second metal layers and an adhesive layer. First and second sections in each metal layer are generally coplanar and separated by a splice line. A first splice line in a first metal layer is generally parallel to a second splice line in a second metal layer, and spaced laterally from the second splice line. An adhesive layer between the metal layers preferably contains reinforcing fibers bridging across the splice lines. An aircraft fuselage or wing or empennage made with spliced body panels of the invention has fewer joints and weighs less than one made with narrower body panels containing unspliced metal layers.